Does COVID-19 Vaccination Warrant the Classical Principle "ofelein i mi vlaptin"?

The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic warrants an imperative necessity for effective and safe vaccination, to restrain Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality. In this regard, intensive medical and biological research leading to the development of an arsenal of vaccines, albeit incomplete preconditioned evaluation, due to emergency. The subsequent scientific gap raises some concerns in the medical community and the general public. More specifically, the accelerated vaccine development downgraded the value of necessary pre-clinical studies to elicit medium- and long-term beneficial or harmful consequences. Previous experience and pathophysiological background of coronaviruses' infections and vaccine technologies, combined with the global vaccines' application, underlined the obligation of a cautious and qualitative approach, to illuminate potential vaccination-related adverse events. Moreover, the high SARS-CoV-2 mutation potential and the already aggregated genetical alterations provoke a rational vagueness and uncertainty concerning vaccines' efficacy against dominant strains and the respective clinical immunity. This review critically summarizes existing evidence and queries regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, to motivate scientists' and clinicians' interest for an optimal, individualized, and holistic management of this unprecedented pandemic.

Ewing's Sarcoma of Mandible: An Impressive Case of Spontaneous Mandible Regeneration

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon aggressive bone malignancy that mainly affects children and adolescents. Mandible involvement is quite rare and usually represents metastasis from another skeletal site. Combined therapy including wide surgical resection and preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy has been demonstrated as the mainstay of therapeutic approach. As improved therapeutic modalities have significantly increased survival over the last decades, functional and esthetic reconstruction of the postmandibulectomy defect is usually necessary for patient's total rehabilitation. We report a case of ES of the mandible with special consideration to the postresection spontaneous structural and functional regeneration of the mandible.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Chatzistefanou I, Kabesi S, Paraskevopoulos K, Koliouskas D, Antoniades K. Ewing's Sarcoma of Mandible: An Impressive Case of Spontaneous Mandible Regeneration. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(3):273-277.

Primary mucosal melanoma of the oral cavity: current therapy and future directions

BACKGROUND

Primary mucosal melanoma of the oral cavity is a highly aggressive malignancy of melanocytic origin. The aim of this study is to report a case series of oral mucosal melanomas (OMMs) and provide a review of the literature with regard to treatment guidelines for and prognosis of this pathologic entity.

STUDY DESIGN

We report three cases of OMMs treated in our institutions and the results of a literature review, in which the words "oral" and "mucosal melanoma" were used as the main keywords.

RESULTS

Surgical resection of the primary tumor with wide resection margins appears to be the recommended primary treatment modality with the aim to achieve tumor-free margins. Elective neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy have been advocated for locoregional control. Chemotherapy has not been shown to improve survival and is mainly used for palliative purposes. Immunotherapy and biochemotherapy seem to significantly improve survival and could open new therapeutic horizons.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of OMMs remains poor despite treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapies could be the key to improving survival. Multicenter randomized clinical trials, which may be difficult to conduct because of the rarity to the lesion, would aid in the development of new strategies.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands: a retrospective series of 29 cases and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Approximately 78% of minor salivary gland tumors are malignant, of which adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) represents 15% in our series. ACC is an uncommon tumor characterized by slow growth and a high potential for recurrence. This series of 29 consecutive patients examines clincopathologic features, management, and survival outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a retrospective chart review of 29 patients with ACC of the minor salivary glands in a period of 23 years (1989 and 2012).

RESULTS

The mean age was 61.2 years (16-89 years), with no gender predilection. The majority occurred in the palate/maxilla (66%) and initial presentation was stage IV. Mean follow-up was 42.6 months. Recurrence rate was 10% local, 14% distant over the observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

The palate/maxilla is the preferred location for occurrence, and initial presentation at stage IV is common. Postoperative radiation remains a common strategy to prevent local recurrence in lesions with adverse features.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare, non-caseating granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology and undefined diagnostic criteria. The classical triad of recurrent orofacial edema, relapsing facial paralysis, and fissured tongue, is not frequently seen in its complete form, and many patients remain misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for years. The purpose of this study is to review the findings in the literature describing the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome with aim to identify its clinical and histopathological characteristics and correlate them with definitive diagnostic criteria and effective treatment modalities. A systematic review and analysis of more than 100 publications met eligibility criteria performed by the authors. Orofacial edema of unknown etiology is the most typical clinical feature of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. Its coexistence with of facial nerve palsy or fissured tongue could be characterized as an oligosymptomatic MRS. Many investigators suggest cheilitis granulomatosa as a monosymptomatic form of MRS, while patients with facial palsy and fissured tongue, without orofacial edema, should not be considered having MRS. Histological evidence is not necessary. Corticosteroids are generally accepted as the mainstay treatment.